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Author
Topic: Playing around and ended up in the hospital. (Read 19252 times)

Well, I've been gone since Monday enjoying my recovery in the hospital. My brother and I got into a wrestling match Monday after our euchre league. We ended up going to the ground and I felt and heard the snap.

I waited til morning and went to the ER. I completely broke my fibula in half and that bone pushed against the tibia and caused the ligament to twist 180 degrees. The x-rays sure are pretty. They put a temporary cast on Tuesday and I had surgery yesterday to put plates and screws on one side of the bone. Another temporary cast and I have to go back in 10 days for them to pin the other side and receive a long term cast.

Moral of this story, start acting your age. He wanted to keep me there 10 more days but I promised him I'd do everything he dictated and return. I so hate hospitals.

On a side note, my mother got a little disgusted as the NP who was doing the intake and assigning me a room returned a short while later and and declared in a normal voice; "Mr. Wolfe, we only have 2 of your HIV meds in stock". She said this in front of several people and I thought nothing of it. My mother pointed out that it was never asked if she knew my status. If not, then she would have known then. I reminded her that it's just a virus and I think she actually got it.

Wolfie, who was given 60 percocets to get me through the week. Doubt I'll down them with wine?

Ouch!! All the best on speedy recovery. As I've mentioned several times here, a hospital nurse is how my brother and his partner learned my status, and how I learned I was even on an HIV med. I know all medical personnel go through privacy classes today. Anyway, take care and cool it with the wrestling.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I still can't believe the expected recovery time from this. I'm on my 2nd temporary cast and receive my next one in just over a week. He expects I'll need to have that one on 8-10 weeks because of the additional damage done.

Still trying to figure out how to take a legit bath. I can't imagine only sponge bathing for 2 months. Just for fun, I'll post the xray later.

Be a good patient and do as the doctor tells you. It will ensure that you don't need to stay in that cast longer......

Last year I broke my wrist from a fall during a tennis match. I continued playing all weekend - 4 additional matches (I broke my left wrist -- play right-handed). So, it took me 4 days to find out it was broken. I also didn't do exactly as told -- spent 14 weeks in a cast and it didn't feel right for another 2 months after that.SO................. be a good patient!!

Ouch - i could only look at the picture quickly - as I am just a bit squeemish over stuff like that...I would have been calling ambulances and everything ---- LOL

OUCH!!!Feel better soon.

-Phil (who is now in pain just from looking at the picture)

I couldn't call the ambulance as they will only transport you to the nearest hospital. That's a place that has repeatedly misdiagnosed me over the years. We traveled quite a distance to my little country medical center that provides darn good care.

Be a good patient and do as the doctor tells you. It will ensure that you don't need to stay in that cast longer......

Last year I broke my wrist from a fall during a tennis match. I continued playing all weekend - 4 additional matches (I broke my left wrist -- play right-handed). So, it took me 4 days to find out it was broken. I also didn't do exactly as told -- spent 14 weeks in a cast and it didn't feel right for another 2 months after that.SO................. be a good patient!!

Hugs,Mike

Thanks for the good points. If I remember, you broke it right before Seattle? The doctor already warned me that if the first part of the healing doesn't happen correctly, I'll need severe orthopedic surgery. It does seem like some of us old HIV dudes hate dealing with hospital stays?

Thanks again everyone for the kind words. The reality of this painful situation is really kicking in as I'm taking more pain meds than I ever have for any other illness/disease/injury.

Edited to add: I can see how people become addicted to these mellow pills. I didn't realize til I had it filled that percocet is the same thing as oxycodone.

Wolfie, I'm really suprised that they didn't want to pin it. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

They did pin one side, but couldn't do the other side until the bone was twisted back in shape. That's why he wants to leave these pins in until it partially sets then he can install them from the other side. Thanks, I sure do hope it's a speedy recovery. Depending on how well this part sets up, that'll determine how long my next admittance to the hospital will be. Therefore, I'm really behaving.

Edited to add: I can see how people become addicted to these mellow pills. I didn't realize til I had it filled that percocet is the same thing as oxycodone.

Percocet is a higher schedule and suppose to be more potent than hydrocodone; however, percocet never worked for me. It seemed like I was just taking Tylenol 3. I guess people are just different that way.

They started out giving me infusions of morphine which wasn't having any affect at all which is unusual as even Tylenol makes me drowsy. I guess being such a hyper person, any downer puts me out. (except for Morphine?)

He prescribed 2 5mg tabs every 3 hours of Percocet. I'm only taking 1 and am just now getting to where it doesn't knock my ass completely out. I'm to the point where I can just sit there in good place.

I do like how they make my feel mentally though. It's shutting down my ever thinking, over processing brain. Might have to discuss this development with my doctor.

Thanks, I guess I'll cut you some slack on being a wussy after your foot surgery. The good news is I am getting a hell of an adominal workout with the crutches. The little white pills are making me feel way better. I'm slowly getting used to the idea of laying in this damn bed again for several weeks. And it's not because of the AIDS this time.

Don't get *too* used to laying in bed. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Cheers,

Henry

Logged

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Don't get *too* used to laying in bed. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Cheers,

Henry

I should have probably called it horseplaying. We tend to get in little competition about who can take the other to the ground first. Quite childish I know, must be a hillbilly thing...lol He absolutely feels horrible and even commented that I must have gotten weak in my old age as it wasn't that aggressive at all. I almost told him he was at risk for infection because broken bones release HIV into the air. But that'd have been a bit cruel.

I tried googling this question, but I know there is a lot of drug expertise here. My ortho surgeon prescribed oxycodone. The bottle reads 5/325 TAB. I already ran out of my 2 week supply and contacted my GP who called in a prescription until my next appointment. He prescribed hydrocodone. This bottle read 5/500 TAB. What exactly are these numbers? What exactly are the differences between the 2 medications?

HYDROCODONE V.S. OXYCODONE == THESE TWO DRUGS ARE SIMILAR, BUT NOT the same. Hydrocodone is the generic name for Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and about 30 others. It is a narcotic analgesic, and not quite as strong as Oxycodone. It's also SLIGHTLY less regulated ie.. it can be CALLED IN to a pharmacy by a physician. It can be habit forming. Vicodin and the rest are a combo of hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Oxycodone is also a narcotic analgesic, also can be habit forming. It's also a combo of acetaminophen and oxycodone (generic) name for Percocet, Tylox, Roxilox. It is SLIGHTLY more regulated ie.. in CANNOT be called in to a pharmacy, you have to have a physical written prescription from a physician. Because of it's potential for abuse and dependence, doctors tend to order Vicodin rather than Percocet.

I did a little copy paste from wiki answers for the bottom part for more clarity .

Thanks Jeff. I was wondering why he didn't prescribe the same thing, but after this explanation, it makes sense. He called in the prescription. I'm gonna ask for the Percocet prescription come Monday. I have to take 2 Vicodins to have the same relief as 1 percocet.

I've always had extra pain meds left after every situation where I needed them as I don't normally need them too often. This time is the exception. Kinda sucks that I haven't had so much as a glass of wine since this happened. You know, that fear thing about mixing.

I've always had extra pain meds left after every situation where I needed them as I don't normally need them too often. This time is the exception. Kinda sucks that I haven't had so much as a glass of wine since this happened. You know, that fear thing about mixing.

Lets face it , that was a pretty grisly accident you had there buddy . It involves bones , muscle and lots of other joints and tissue ... you are going to need pain management with this injury for a little while at least . Of course its not good to drink wine and take pain meds but if you are taking the pills as prescribed and can quit after one glass of wine its not going to kill you , so a glass of wine before bed is doable . I may get yelled at for telling you this but I do not think its a big deal .

Thanks Jeff, I was looking for my first ok. Have no wine but did find an old beer in the fridge.

I'm becoming my own recovery advocate. My leg hurts terribly if I lay in bed like ordered. My entire leg hurt and I couldn't get comfortable. Still couldn't bend my knee and was getting pissed. I started doing little exercises without putting pressure on it. I can now bend my knee clear to my chest.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Most gay men do this automatically, it's just tougher with a broken leg.... I have discovered my new sleeping med, a half glass of beer and it knocked me out solid for hours. Gonna be my nightly ritual. Just not at 6:00 pm though.

hydrocodone is what, for example, I was given after being zapped by a laser bean in my butthole. But it was oxycodone all the way with foot surgery, though I didn't take it more than two weeks. I took ibuprofen for an entire month.

Today is the big day; I have an appointment with the ortho surgeon to decide the next course of treatment. I know that I'm over this already and am ready to become active again.

I might have to go buy some sweats as I have only one thing to wear now that it's gotten cold. I so hate seeing sweats in public, but I guess I'll join the ranks. Right now, all I can wear is my jogging suit as it has zippered legs. Wearing a jogging suite while on crutches...priceless.

... Of course its not good to drink wine and take pain meds but if you are taking the pills as prescribed and can quit after one glass of wine its not going to kill you , so a glass of wine before bed is doable . I may get yelled at for telling you this but I do not think its a big deal . ...

Crack open the white zin!

Logged

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Today is the big day; I have an appointment with the ortho surgeon to decide the next course of treatment. I know that I'm over this already and am ready to become active again.

I might have to go buy some sweats as I have only one thing to wear now that it's gotten cold. I so hate seeing sweats in public, but I guess I'll join the ranks. Right now, all I can wear is my jogging suit as it has zippered legs. Wearing a jogging suite while on crutches...priceless.

Now you know we wanna see photos of you in that velour tracksuit.

Hope everything works out for a rapid recovery. At least you have lots of distractions to help you cope in the meantime: dolls and booze, so sparkle Neely sparkle!

Seroconverted: Early 80sTested & confirmed what I already knew: early 90s

Current regimen: Atripla. Last regimen: Epzicom, Sustiva (since its inception with NO adverse side effects: no vivid dreams and NONE of the problems people who can't tolerate this drug may experience: color me lucky )Past regimensFun stuff (in the past): HAV/HBV, crypto, shingles, AIDS, PCP

Definitely in more pain today than I have experienced since this happened. The good news is that it's healing better than the surgeon thought it would. Without notice, he jerked my entire foot sideways to align the bone. He casted my leg in this weird contorted position that just won't stop aching.

I'll try to post pictures of my beautiful yellow cast later. He indicated that I might not need another surgery if it continues healing at the pace it is. We'll know for definite in 2 more weeks. That'll be my 4th cast. I've never heard of replacing them so often.

I would love to have a few of my old velour track suits, they'd be perfect right now. I have my nylon Nike running suit so I can at least look stylish while laying around in pain.

Surprising, I did have a glass of wine/cranberry juice and it made me sick to my stomach. Where as a beer works wonders.

Here in high-class Topeka, lounge/pajama pants are the new casual. They have elastic and drawstrings in the waist. If you can't handle shopping at Walmart, you can usually find them at Target and Kohl's. They have generous crotch and leg room and would be easy to put on over your cast.

Speaking of tracksuits, can you picture me in a Sergio Tacchini one wearing huge gold door-knocker earrings and prancing at Tracks in DC circa 1990, high as a kite on two hits of acid?

Anywho, you may want to consider that look Wolfie.

I opted for the 80's style. The Don Johnson linen slacks look with a modern twist. And a couple pair of dreaded sweat pants that I know I will NOT wear in public. All I can do is shop and I'm actually getting bored even with that. Plus, I've never had tats or piercings and wasn't much around the drug scene growing up in the heart of marijuana country.

I do have a different appreciation for what your sissy ass went through after foot surgery. I'm less mobile than the different AIDS periods I went through. This freaking cast hurts worse than the first 2 and I'm absolutely miserable. 2 days and I already know I'll need more oxy's.

I have managed to hobble a vodka/water to my bedstand where I intend to get a lite buzz and hopefully sleep peacefully.

Definitely in more pain today than I have experienced since this happened. The good news is that it's healing better than the surgeon thought it would. Without notice, he jerked my entire foot sideways to align the bone. He casted my leg in this weird contorted position that just won't stop aching.

I'll try to post pictures of my beautiful yellow cast later. He indicated that I might not need another surgery if it continues healing at the pace it is. We'll know for definite in 2 more weeks. That'll be my 4th cast. I've never heard of replacing them so often.

I would love to have a few of my old velour track suits, they'd be perfect right now. I have my nylon Nike running suit so I can at least look stylish while laying around in pain.

Surprising, I did have a glass of wine/cranberry juice and it made me sick to my stomach. Where as a beer works wonders.

I'm less mobile than the different AIDS periods I went through. This freaking cast hurts worse than the first 2 and I'm absolutely miserable. 2 days and I already know I'll need more oxy's.

That sucks. Similar thing happened with my second cast. Seemed at a slightly weird angle of foot to ankle that was uncomfy. Yours sounds worse though. Do you think you should call the doctor, especially if you need to get another oxy prescription anyway. Maybe it was put on incorrectly.

That sucks. Similar thing happened with my second cast. Seemed at a slightly weird angle of foot to ankle that was uncomfy. Yours sounds worse though. Do you think you should call the doctor, especially if you need to get another oxy prescription anyway. Maybe it was put on incorrectly.

He warned me that there'd be a lot of discomfort. It was either put up with this for a while or have another surgery to pin the other side of the Fibula. He indicated that within 2 weeks it'll fuse together enough that additional surgery might not be needed. This cast gets removed a week from Monday and I'll get my next long term cast.

By going this painful route, he expects it'll take about a month off of my total recovery time. I did notice my nightcap vodka played wonders; I slept all night which is rare for me anyways. My regular doc gave me a prescription for hydocodone that I'm alternating with the oxy's.

My waxing lady is taking me shopping this afternoon which also is making the pain easier to deal with. I have actually gotten tired of online shopping, so doing it live with be great. Wonder if I can buy just one shoe?